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By Nate Hagerty
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Texas Rangers witnessed a significant decline in performance from their rotation this season and must find a way to fix it this winter.
The Rangers rotation finished 21st in the league with a 4.35 ERA in 2024 -- a notable regression from last year's arsenal, which ranked seventh with a 3.96 ERA.
One way the Rangers could begin retooling the rotation is by trading for a former southpaw, who helped Texas win its first-ever World Series title in 2023.
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"ESPN's Jeff Passan reported last week that the (Arizona) Diamondbacks 'want to move him and will eat some of his $22.5 million salary to do so,'" Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly wrote Monday when discussing the players most likely to be traded this winter. "That will likely lead to quite a few suitors for Montgomery. A return to the Rangers could make sense."
Montgomery spent the second half of 2023 with the Rangers after being dealt by the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline.
The 31-year-old played a vital role in the Rangers' historic postseason run -- logging a 3-1 record with a 2.90 ERA, 17-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .291 batting average against and a 1.35 WHIP in 31 innings pitched.
Unfortunately for Montgomery, he struggled mightily with Arizona and Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick didn't mince words when discussing the veteran hurler's lackluster performance shortly after the regular season ended.
Due to Kendrick's unflattering comments about Montgomery, many expect the Diamondbacks to trade him this winter to remove his expensive salary from the payroll.
Arizona will likely have to eat some of Montgomery's contract to trade him, opening the door for Texas to reacquire the 2023 World Series champion at a discounted price without sacrificing much in return.
It's possible missing spring training this year is to blame for Montgomery posting the worst season of his career. A reunion could occur if the Rangers can look past his 2024 performance.
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